PROVIDENCE –– Governor Carcieri’s office yesterday committed to starting an energy program expected to boost food stamp eligibility for around 20,000 Rhode Islanders.

“The administration has agreed to move forward with the program,” Carcieri spokeswoman Amy Kempe said, adding that “some logistical issues” have yet to be worked out.

The commitment came shortly after advocates for the low-income and elderly staged a morning protest outside the governor’s State House office accusing the governor of dragging his feet. A Carcieri representative spoke with the group of about 20 for around 45 minutes before they left.

The program, dubbed “Heat and Eat,” would give low-income residents on average between $30 and $35 more each month in food stamps, according to the governor’s office. But to trigger the additional aid, the Carcieri administration must first distribute federal energy checks of at least $1 to food-stamp recipients.“Everyone’s for it. Let’s do it then,” said Henry Shelton, coordinator of the George Wiley Center, a Pawtucket agency that lobbies on behalf of low-income families. He was joined yesterday by the elderly advocacy group the Gray Panthers, and the Coalition for the Homeless, among other groups.

Shelton said he wasn’t convinced by Carcieri’s latest pledge of support.

“He’s continually dragging his feet. Six weeks ago he said the same thing,” Shelton said. “That’s the problem. He’s committed to doing it maybe in the year 4800. People are hungry right now.”

Kempe said the administration would probably issue the checks before Dec. 1, triggering the increased food stamp eligibility.

The Heat and Eat program works like this:

Food stamp eligibility is determined by income, which is offset by certain expenses, such as heating costs. But food stamp recipients who don’t have separate heating bills –– for example, residents of housing complexes where heat is included in the rent –– currently can’t claim energy expenses, known as a standard utility allowance.

However, those who receive funds from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, even $1, qualify for the allowance, which reduces their overall income and increases the amount of food stamps they may receive.

Shelton says the administration could pump at least $6-million worth of food stamps into the Rhode Island economy by simply passing along 20,000 $1 checks.

“It’s all federal money,” he said. “It’s not some wild idea. Other states do it.”

Kemp also noted that other states have successfully implemented the “Heat and Eat” program in recent years. They include Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Washington, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

speoples@projo.com